An OT practitioner is reassessing a client's shoulder external rotation active ROM at discharge

During the initial evaluation, ROM measurements (0-15) were taken with the client seated and the humerus adducted because of the presence of shoulder pain. The client's pain has since re-solved, and ROM has improved so that the client is now able to abduct the humerus to assume the alternative testing position. To document discharge ROM, what should the OT do?
A. State that the ROM has improved but measurements were not taken because pain has resolved.
B. Observe the motion and estimate the ROM.
C. Measure external rotation with the humerus abducted.
D. Measure external rotation with the humerus adducted.

ANS: D
Because there was a documented ROM limitation on initial evaluation, ROM should be reas-sessed by measurement to demonstrate the efficacy of treatment. For the most reliable measure-ments and for comparative purposes, the same measurement protocol should be used. Thus ROM should be reassessed at discharge with the humerus in adduction to replicate the way it was measured initially.